City Expected To Curb Liquor In New Disco

February 14, 1986|By Sara Roen of The Sentinel Staff

CASSELBERRY — Jack's American Cafe may become a hot spot quicker than its backers planned if they don't agree to the city's requirements not to serve alcoholic drinks from 11:30 p.m. to 10 a.m. the next day.

The club, which would be built in the Oxford Square mall, is expected to be opposed by residents in the Carriage Hill subdivision about 500 feet from the proposed club site.

The board of adjustments is scheduled to review the request Feb. 27 at city hall.

Any business that wants to serve alcoholic drinks must get special permission from the city, said Building Official Frank Broyles. Although the city code allows alcohol to be served between 7 a.m. and 2 a.m. on weekdays and from 1 p.m. to 2 a.m. Sundays, the board of adjustments can restrict those hours as it is expected to do when it hears such a request from Jack's American Cafe, he said.

The city also has asked that the cafe not have drive-in takeout service, said city planner Barry Campbell.

Campbell said Thursday the proposed club would be 13,150 square feet and hold more than 500 people. The restrictions would be imposed, he said, because the city is concerned that a late-night club would create added traffic on State Road 436 and would create noise problems, thus bothering residents in Carriage Hill and in a new apartment complex being built next to the new mall. James Hines, of The Dawn Co. in Tampa and who is requesting the conditional use, said he is not building the disco, but plans to lease the property to an unidentified club owner. He said he does not know what the owners will do if they don't agree to the city's requirements.

Hines acknowledged that a nightclub would increase traffic, but said noise would not be a problem because of existing noise levels on S.R. 436. Highway traffic would drown out live bands and disco music, as well as crowd sounds, he said.

However, Walter Teague, 110 Carriage Hill Drive, disagreed and added that he and neighbors are preparing a petition to show their opposition.

Campbell said the club would serve buffet-style food, but would not be a restaurant. Preliminary plans include several bars with seating for more than 200.

In addition to two dancing areas and several bars, the club also would have a recreation area equipped with pool tables and video games. Campbell said the proposed club is the largest entertainment facility he has seen suggested for Casselberry. He compared it to J.J. Whispers in Orlando.

Gary Licquia, J.J. Whispers manager, said valet parking is used so the nightclub has some control over parking. Traffic problems can be curbed if the parking lot is properly policed, he said.